An Interview with Author, Pamela Ford

Spotlight on: The Continental Breakfast Club

And Author Pamela Ford

Pamela Ford has an entertaining, popular new series on her hands with The Continental Breakfast Club. The first book, Over Easy, was released in May of 2010, the second, Freshly Brewed, is scheduled for release late July or early August. Which is why she is currently on a virtual book tour hosted by iRead Book Tours.

Our Interview

Thank you, Pamela, for the opportunity to learn more about you and your writing. It’s a pleasure to chat with you.

I generally don’t ask an author where he or she gets her ideas, but with your series title, the curiosity is too much. Did you create the idea for the series, or did a person who goes to continental breakfasts give you the idea?

The idea popped into my head when I was at a hotel continental breakfast on vacation and saw a handsome man in a suit breakfasting alone. Suddenly “What if. . .” popped into my head and the story was born.

It is a very clever way to meet career people. Would you try it yourself?

I don’t think I would have the nerve to do it myself! I might make it into the breakfast room, but I’d end up stuck in the corner by the waffle machine making excuses to myself about why I couldn’t possibly join a stranger at his table.

You have a very fun sense of humor. Is that you in real life as well?

I like to laugh. . .and do tend toward silliness! Life is too short to be serious all the time.

In 2015 you published “To Ride a White Horse,” a historical romance. Now you have completed a very contemporary series. Do you prefer one era to another? Which is more difficult?

I love writing in both genres. Each takes a different frame of mind, but I think changing the types of stories I write makes me better at what I do. Writing historicals can be more difficult because of the amount of research necessary to ensure the details are accurate. Even simple things like,“Were pockets invented yet? have to be checked.

I enjoyed reading about your previous career experience. Do you write full time now?

I write books full time now, although I will occasionally take on a freelance writing project.

Are you a structured writer? That is, do you plan a number of hours a day, a number of pages, a chapter?

Every day I get up and plan to be a structured writer. And then the Internet intervenes! I have a minimum goal of 1,000 words a day, which some days can be torturous and other days is just a blip on the odometer as I breeze right past it.

Do you outline or let the character lead you?

I begin each book with a basic plot idea, but go immediately into character development—setting goals, motivations, conflicts, and character arcs for the major characters. I almost always figure out where the story is going in advance, but once I start writing, I am amazed at how the story will veer into directions I never saw coming.

Several friends in the first book seem likely to become featured characters in future stories. Right now, would you like to continue the series past the first friends? After all, as you showed in your book, all ages might find it an interesting way to meet people.

I definitely plan to take the series past the first three friends. In fact, book three, Honey Glazed, isn’t Megan’s story as you might expect—it’s Kristin’s story, a character who is introduced in book 2, Fresh Brewed.

The second book in the series, Fresh Brewed, is just out now as well. When writing a series, is it easier to stay with the people and finish books two, three, and perhaps more? Or do you prefer to vary your writing with a different genre in between?

I think it’s a little easier to stick with the series because the characters’ life details, personalities, and backgrounds are fresh in your mind.

Will more historical romance be on your schedule too?

Absolutely! To Ride a White Horse was really well-received and a lot of readers have written to ask for a sequel. I have a story in mind that I will probably chase down once I finish the third book in The Continental Breakfast Club series.

Which writers most influenced you to become one yourself?

All of them! I have always loved to read, so living in a world of books just feels like home to me.

What are you reading now?

My nightstand is so piled with books, it’s hazardous! I’m about to start reading “Counting by 7s” by Holly Goldberg Sloan for the book club I’m in. Up after that is “Paperboy,” which is the first in a humorous series by Tony Macaulay about growing up in Belfast during the Troubles.

And I always like to ask, how do you celebrate when you finish a book?

I take a few weeks off and don’t think about writing at all. It clears my mind so I can come to the next project rejuvenated.

We could continue indefinitely, but will stop here. Thank you again–most sincerely–for your time. Looking forward to reading more!

The Tour

Book Description for Over Easy:

Allie Parker’s had enough. Just because she’s a dog groomer, her overachieving family of doctors and lawyers treats her like a child. She’s convinced that a successful husband is all she needs to change their attitudes. So when she and her friends come up with a brilliant new way to meet eligible men, Allie squeezes into her sister’s stylish clothes and sneaks into continental breakfast at an upscale hotel to find herself the perfect guy.

Before Allie has taken her last bite of syrup-laden waffle, she’s met the man of her dreams. But what she doesn’t know is that he’s a jewel thief who mistakenly thinks she’s his contact—and so does everyone else who’s after his stash of diamonds.

Suddenly Allie’s world is crazily upended. And as she scrambles to prove her innocence and get back to her old life, she discovers happily ever after sneaks up when you least expect it.

Book Description for Fresh Brewed:

Breanna Mitchell is on her way to a relaxing vacation at the ocean. Maybe she’ll even have a beachside fling to help her get over a recent breakup.

But when a tropical storm makes her destination hotel uninhabitable, a chance encounter at continental breakfast delivers a fabulous option—with a catch. She and her friends can stay at a privately-owned, three-story oceanfront home—if she pretends to be the girlfriend of the owner’s heartbreaker grandson, Ethan. Since he won’t even be there, how hard could it be?

Everything is going swimmingly until Bree drinks too much wine and regales the family with romantic tales about her relationship with Ethan. His adorable brother Adam gets suspicious. His marriage-minded grandma gets engagement fever. The beautiful woman next door gets teary-eyed.

And then, Ethan unexpectedly arrives. Suddenly Bree is about to get everything she’s ever wished for—but is it what she really wants?

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Author’s Bio:

Pamela Ford is the award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance. She grew up watching old movies, blissfully sighing over the romance; and reading sci-fi and adventure novels, vicariously living the action. The combination probably explains why the books she writes are romantic, happily-ever-afters with plenty of plot – and often lots of laughter.

After graduating from college with a degree in Advertising, Pam merrily set off to earn a living, searching for that perfect career as she became a graphic designer, print buyer, pantyhose sales rep, public relations specialist, copywriter, freelance writer – and finally author. Pam has won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, the Laurel Wreath, and a gold medal IPPY in the Independent Book Publisher Awards. She is a Kindle Book Awards finalist and a two-time Golden Heart Finalist. She lives in Wisconsin where she is working on her next novel.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Merry Citarella, often writing as Merrci, writes on a wide range of topics. Recently relocated to the Oregon Coast in the northwest United States, she frequently writes travel features on the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She specializes in health and aging, Alzheimer’s Disease, food, lifestyle, and book reviews. For more information you can see her on The Writers’Door. You can read more articles here or at her websites Alzheimers HQ and Simple Living Ideas